Week Twenty-Two: Come, Josephine

This week was generally all good things. Across the spectrum. Aced a test, got some sun, had fun. Took photos of static display airplanes every day, except when I did not. One day there were flying trucks. Really. Check them out.

Day 1 (148): 5th of May
Both Cinco De Mayo and Revenge of the Fifth. I realise now that I failed to say anything about yesterday being Star Wars Day. Really the fault of that rubbish travel bother yesterday. Ah well. Hardly diminishes my level of nerd. I had forgotten the vagaries of VaBeach weather, but the past few days and the expectations for the rest of the week are a stark reminder. Spring in this area can be dreary and rainy and gloomy one day, then hot and humid the next. Despite the less than gorgeous day, went out to snap some photos outside, and decided the result needed some oldification to compensate for the poor light conditions (and because it is an older plane).

In case you are curious about the way a traveling naval officer lives, here's the startlingly comfy bed. Not necessarily the standard, as some quarters seem to want to mimic ship life...

Day 2 (149): 6th of May
Had our test this morning, and despite the two point five hour time limit, I finished in about forty. And that included a few minutes to make sure it was mostly legible. Thankfully my quickness meant that we had time to go get v sophisticated brunch by sampling the phenomenon of the Waffle Taco. Judge away, but it was really not terrible. Asked for bacon and got sausage, but was still not terrible. Also they made us wait so long they threw in an extra hash brown and some cinna-thingies. Perhaps should feel bad, but when in Rome...(or America...)

Better in BW??? Better yet in the belly.

And to continue the theme of planes... One of my better reflected self portraits.

Day 3 (150): 7th of May
Well, because no one in the class failed (and I got a perfect score...humble brag? Naw, just brag), we had a get together at one of my old stomping grounds last night. Was quite a fun time, and this time there were no rescue ops for guys too drunk to walk and generally no youthful shenanigans. Though Keagan's is an Irish pub, so shenanigans would not be the strangest thing. Although I only had a minor amount of alcohol, I did eat the dickins out of some fish n' chips and a foodgasm called fried cookie dough (with ice cream). Still get a shiver remembering it.... but here is another oldified plane.

And a nice little birdie.

And I may not know the muffin man, but I know where he works - the NAS Oceana Commissary. He makes magical pistachio muffins... I just had to share. Not the muffin, mind you. Just the fact of its existence.

Day 4 (151): 8th of May
This morning was startlingly (though no surprisingly) hot and humid. But the first thing I saw outside was the tree below. Really drives home the difference in schedule, since as mentioned I leave for work in Italy before the sun comes up. Here, it is well into the sky before we head out.

On a walkabout in the lovely afternoon / evening. Love the light this time of day.

This poor fellow has been in a state of being disassembled for a few days. Johnny Five would not be amused.

Pretty tree with pretty sun. Hardly touched this one...

Day 5 (152): 9th of May
Another early release day and another lovely (if hot and humid) day. Almost forgot to get my piccies, but as we were leaving base to go eat AYCE sushi (mmmmmmmm), I pulled over quick and snapped this gazebo / smoke shack. Realise that I got too quick and didn't center the thing...

Have always enjoyed poking fun at the F-14 Tomcat (especially around those who used to fly it). Thus the photo of one's backside, but the focus of the photo is on the little picnic table...

Day 6 (153): 10th of May
Last w/end was so busy, this one will be decidedly lower stress. Early morning visit to the gym, out to the beach to check out the lovely day and the Monster Trucks, evening out with an old friend. What's not to like? And I met this charming fellow outside the gym.

I love Monster Truck / Drag Race people. So v America.

Same thing but from the front.

Day 7 (154): 11th of May
Happy Mother's Day!!! I've got the best one, so just be aware of that fact. You may think yours is better, but studies have shown mine is the tops. No car today, but that did not stop the fun. Took a Canadian classmate to the Monsters on the Beach, because why not? Who doesn't love Monster trucks? They are great for building international partnerships. The brilliant automotive carnage was followed by beer and hot wings, to really solidify the American Experience. Took about two million photos, so choosing the below was v hard. Still a lot more than usual, but I narrowed it down to a handful. First to set the scene.

And another. Classic SEALs... Checking out the Monster Trucks from the air.

There were ATV races as well.

All the flying machines (different from the others pictured above) were incredible.

Though sometimes it ended badly. A Delorean this is not...

Mostly it was just brilliant. I wanted a shot of the massive dirt being kicked up by trucks doing donuts, but had to draw the line somewhere.

And there was a tank that turned into a dinosaur that ate a car and shot fire from its gob.

Yes, do come, Josephine. This is the best flying machine.

A bit cheeky this week. Really don't know where it came from. I've certainly never been cheeky before. I'm usually such a pragmatic and rational gal...

Week Three: Things We Never Knew

One of these days, my time in the Journalistic Endeavours will pay off and I'll remember how to write a hook. For now, I think it probably best to just dive in to the week's rambli-- I mean Photos and Words.

Day 1 (15): 23rd of December
Tis the season. Of what? Whatever you please, as a matter of fact. Clearly good and notsogood things. There are more deer in the UK now than at any other time since the last Ice Age (I think that's the era, not the delightful Pixar film franchise). For that reason, among others, being hateful at Christmastime is just, well, hateful. Like not appreciating the requirement for brilliant Christmas songs sung by brilliant classic singers (no, Mariah, that does not include you... nor you, Bieber). Or questioning the need to wear jolly red hats all day at work. Or giving dirty looks in response to whistling the Chipmunks great Holiday Ballad "Please, Christmas, Don't be Late" (Does he get the hula hoop? The world wants to know!). Also the playing of it on a loop over a door sound cover. Someone who meant a great deal to me used to poke fun at me by singing that song, so it holds a special place in my heart. And the obvious, of course - it is just a perfect Christmas song. So there. Cue badass Selfie. Promise this'll be the only one.

That's why there's two.

Day 2 (16): 24th of December
Seven Fishes. Crowded Sidestreets. Busy Base Gates galore. And the only thing left is the music. Eat a Burger. Have a Cold Beer. Full of Holiday Smiles. While the cats stare at you through the door. Ring a ling. Hear them-- oh enough of that. Christmas Eve looks like any other day in December here in Naples. Aside from the odd Christmas lights, the busy nature of the area seems the same as the usual. Really needs snow, Christmas does. Or at least weather chilly enough to require a jacket (barely needed a cardigan today). Was a lovely day, I admit, but it is WINTER!!! But I did my duty. For Queen and Cou-- no. Wait. For Christmas Dinner. Ice has been obtained. So have wine and toothpaste, but that's neither here nor there. Oh, and a couple photos taken, for good measure. Now I'll be watching the Psych Musical, as it arrived yesterday, like my own Christmas Miracle. And I''ll be having another beer. In Brazil BBQ-ing is a form of public protest. This stump has a face. It is not amused.

But this is cheery, no? V Christmasy.

Day 3 (17): 25th of December
Now...feels like there's something I've forgotten. Not sure why. What could it be? A date? Hahaha, no. An appointment? Unlikely. Dre? Possibly. All the words? Must be it. Ah well. Probably not important. Weather's a bit dreary today. Must've heard my ungrateful moans yesterday about lovely weather at Christmas (THAT'S what I forgot!). Hopefully doesn't portend ill climate for the week. Would like to stretch Indy's legs at some point. She's getting rather bored, sitting in the garage with her shiny new saddle bags. Popping out for a jaunt to work would be v therapeutic. Moreso for her than for me (obviously). Speaking of getting out, spent the digital equivalent of a roll of film at the Christmas dinner trying to get a decent photo of a gull in flight. One of many photographic skills I do not have is birds, especially if they have the gall to fly. Not that gulls/gannets/seapigeons are the most majestic of fowl, but beggars and choosers and all. That, and J.L. Seagull has long been a favourite book of mine. Got sort of close. But whatevs. Early days, eh? A hummingbird's brain accounts for 4.2% of its bodyweight. That's higher than any other bird.

And see about the weather? Hmm. Actually, makes for rather a nice sunset. Do like a nice sunset. Fly, J.L.! Fly!

Day 4 (18): 26th of December
My body did not get the memo. I told it before we went to bed that we were not to wake until two hours later than usual. Stupid body with its getting up normally. Fixed its wagon, though, as I made it stay in bed and watch the Doctor Who Christmas ep I'd left downloa-- erm legally purchasing. Damn that show. Damn it to hell. Makes me go all misty like nothing else can. Am a conflicted fan, for certain. Am in love with a work of fiction and don't even know exactly why. And not like "Gee. Really love that show" in love. More like Occupies More Thought Than is Healthy in love. Why. Really, I want to know. Few other things come close, so if I can sort out one, perhaps that will translate to the others. No? Nothing? Fat lot of good you are. Right. Don't alienate the reader, Self. They are a Happy Few, and deserve your appreciation, not your sass. Sorry. Forgot myself. Enough about my Soppy Conflicted Nerdiness. The most effective time to drink coffee is between 0930 and 1130. Plan A was to try taking piccies of the blekhy rainy stormy windy day, but then it was suggested I try playing with long exposure, as that is number 543 on the Skills Rodeo Lacks list. Also gave me an excuse to show off Indy. She's so purdy. Any rate, after Herself (me) figured out that timers and tripods and lamps work best when used properly, she had some success.

Not so much in the long exposure stuff (a project for later), but in the taking pictures in the dark.

Day 5 (19): 27th of December
Always a good idea take someone not good at sitting still, and tell her to sit in a chair for twelve hours. Not liable to work. There will always be a wander from time to time, or just a dance party. Always more fun with pie, though. That can be said of many things (most things, I should think) I just learned today that tears do not fall in space. So there is no crying in space. And it follows that there ought be no crying in other places (or all places). Vindication is sweet. I also learned that "God's Bones" was the sweariest phrase in medieval times (someone should tell Follett) and that until this year, "being an incorrigible rogue" was a criminal offense (and should still be, in my mind - basically gives legal reason to imprison "D-bags"). What also ought be criminal is the following photo. Could make excuses all day, but just comes down to lack of skill. Got too big for her britches, I think. "Oh, well, I've clearly mastered the art of night photography, I can totally do outside at night." Sorry, love, but not so much. Does look sorta cool, but still is a poor pic. Projects for later. And yes. I know. It is a cat.

Day 6 (20): 28th of December
I've had "California Dreamin'" stuck firmly in my cerebral music player all day. Not because I've been wistfully thinking of the Far South West US, but because it was on in the background of my v strange dream last night (will spare you the details). That is one of the few constants in my dreaming: the soundtrack. There is always music playing, and it usually fits either ironically with the dream or makes no sense whatsoever. A few nights ago I dreamt that myself and others were suffering from a rampant skin fungus and a friend of mine decided that the solution was to bomb the lot of us. The music to that cheery little vignette was a Head and the Heart medley. A bit distressing, that, as I love that particular group so much and their music makes me happy. Not much happy about being bombed. Or fungus, for that matter. Monkeys avoid selfish people. The Sun was ruddy gorgeous today, and I spent a fair amount of time sitting outside. Then the boys decided to have a go at each other, clearly the nice weather made them feel rather good. Took some photos of them being silly, but will leave those off this place, as I fear it becoming a Dreaded Cat Photo blog. What I will share is the result of my experimenting with my filters and lens hood. I've done worse, but still feel there is something missing from my overall product. Something more than just Skill. Passion? Could be. Conviction? Kind of the same thing. Whatever it is, here's to figuring out what it is and digging up a bit of it from time to time.

This I fancied because it is a bit grim, especially reflected by the fluff photo from before. This is the After to last week's Before.

Day 7 (21): 29th of December
Apparently we learn to grimace in the womb, so we can express our discontent at birth. That explains a lot. I wonder if we learn to smile before or after birth. Seems equally important to be able to express pleasure. All cliches aside, I find that laughing really does heal rather a lot of ailments. Not necessarily things like Russian Flu, or The Plague, but certainly things like Meetings, VTCs, and Staff Work. Having a good laugh before and after said events can make the drudgery all the easier. Also seems to me that a baby who smiles makes people less uncomfortable... but that I suppose is the point, right? If Big People are uncomfortable at the unhappiness of a baby, they are more likely to do whatever it takes to stop the madness. Well poop. I guess the grimace is a good thing. I bet Rainbow Dash didn't grimace when faced with a Dalek, though. So... can Friendship be Exterminated?

Clearly not. Even the Daleks are no match for Ponies.

Wisdom of the Week: Urban blackbirds grow up faster than their country cousins. And the mathematical chance of meeting your soul mate is one in 10,000. Put that in your bathwater and drink it.